Connector latching device



p 1965 E. c. UBERBACHER 3,209,303

CONNECTOR LATCHING DEVICE Filed June 28 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOREDWARD C. UBERBACHER ATTORNEY p 1965 E. c. UBERBACHER 3,2

CONNECTOR LATCHING DEVICE Filed June 28, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 UnitedStates Patent 3,209,303 CONNECTOR LATCHING DEVICE Edward 'C. Uberbacher,Poughkeepsie, N.Y., assignor to International Business MachinesCorporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed June 28,1963, Ser. No. 291,324 8 Claims. (Cl. 339-45) The present inventionrelates in general to improvements in electrical connector means andmore particularly to devices for connecting and disconnecting multiplecontact connector block halves. When sets of wiping contacts amount to ascore or more pairs of contacts, a considerable amount of force isrequired to mate the blocks carrying the contacts and a similar effortis required to pull the blocks apart.

=Heretofore, connector latching systems required rather expensive formsof construction involving rather heavy parts in the form of cam lever,hook or screw mechanisms to draw up and hold the connector halves. Thesemechanisms were not rapid in operation and called for considerableeffort and time for each connect or disconnect operation.

The present invention is particularly directed to providing a removableconnector latch by means of which it is possible to make a large numberof good electrical connections quickly and without use of much appliedforce. Another object of the invention is the provision of an economicalform of latching means of low cost construction with sheet metal partswith a pistol shaped handle and trigger lever for ease of handling andsingle handed operation.

Another feature of the invention is the use of a centralized pin or postabout which the forces of latching are applied for uniform distributionof push and pull over the whole connector. The post extends from thecenter of one connector half and through the other half and through astrong bent leaf spring with a loose hole encircling the post. A handtrigger and lever is used to compress the free end of the leaf springand force it down over the post. When the spring is released it iscanted against the post and serves to lift the post and close theconnector halves. In a reverse fashion, the spring is pressed to releaseand free the outer connector half.

Another object of the invention is to provide an alternative form ofconnector latch mechanism based on the same low-cost principles as thefirst mentioned latch but substituting a coil spring and a canted washerfor the leaf spring of the first mentioned latch.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustratedin the acoompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is perspective view of a pair of contact connector halves withthe right half bearing the latch mechanism of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view partly in section showing theconnector halves as they are being brought together, with the pistolgrip on the right half compressed to straighten the leaf spring so ahole therein fits loosely over the assembly pin.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view partly in section showing theconnector halves drawn together by the leaf spring acting on the pinsince the pistol grip lever is released.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation view partly in section showing theconnector halves still together but about to be separated becausecompression of the pistol grip lever has straightened the leaf spring sothat a hole therein is 3,299,363 Patented Sept. 28, 1965 no longercanted against the assembly pin but loose thereon and the right half isready to be withdrawn.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation view partly in section showing thealternative latching mechanism in the process of assembling a pair ofconnector halves by compressing a pistol grip to straighten a cantingring around an assembly pin.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation view partly in section showing thealternative latching mechanism with the pair of connector halves closedbecause the pistol grip lever is released to allow a coil spring toexpand between the canted canting ring on the pin and the upperconnector half.

The main object of the connector, FIGURE 2 is to bring into wipingengagement, a plurality of pairs of similar but separate contacts 17 and18 so that many good electrical connections are made without requiringgreat physical effort on the part of the machine operator.

The general construction of the parts of the invention may be observedby reference to the perspective view, FIGURE 1. There it is seen that apair of contact carrying connector halves or blocks 20 and 21 are to beforced into mating connection by a latching mechanism 22 on the rightblock 21 in cooperation with a stud or pin 23 which is fastened to block20 and projects through an opening 24 in block 21. Fastened to the outerface of block 21 is a pistol shaped handle frame 25 which straddlesopening 24 but has a similar aligned opening 26 through which the pin 23extends. A pair of bosses 2'7 on the inside of block opening 24- formmountings for screws 28 to attach handle 25 to block 21.

Handle frame 25 is formed with a pair of side ears 29 for confining abent leaf spring 30. A top L shaped extension 32 of frame 25 alsoconfines, the rounded upper end of leaf spring 30. Placed on the ends ofears 29 is a crossbar 33 spanning frame 25 and forming a fulcrum orsupport for the extended upper end 34 of leaf spring 30, the lower endof which presses into a depression 35 formed in a trigger lever 36.Crossbar 33 and extended end 34 are loosely assembled but held in placeby the pressure of the spring flexure always under tension. This triggerlever 36 is pivoted on a rod 37 which is fixed between a pair of pistolgrip extensions 38 on frame 25. Trigger lever 36 is formed at the topend with two rounded operating cams 40 and 41, cam 40 serving to pressagainst the lower end of leaf spring 30 to straighten it for insertionor withdrawal of pin 23 (FIGURES 2 and 4) and cam 41 serving to pressagainst the tip of pin 23 (FIGURE 4) for ejection purposes to aid inwithdrawing the outer block 21.

Spring 30 is without any fixed fastening and is merely confined with itsupper rounded end relatively stable as held between ears 29, extension32 and bar 33. However, the lower end of spring 30 may be flexed throughquite an arc of movement by cam 40 of lever 36 and, in so moving, thewalls of a hole 31 in spring 30 assume various degrees of parallelism,or lack of the same, with respect to the sides of pin 23. In order toassemble blocks 20 and 21, a hand on pistol grip 38 compresses triggerlever 36 counterclockwise, pressing cam 40 on spring 30 to flatten thespring towards the block face and swing the hole walls of hole 31 tomove parallel with pin 23 so that the pin may slide therethrough (FIGURE2) and bring block 20 near block 21.

When the hand on pistol grip 38 releases the trigger lever 36, spring 30flexes its lower end away from block 21, and in so doing cants the holewalls 31 into a biting engagement with pin 23 and pulls the pin to theright (FIGURE 3) and pulls block 20 against block 21 so that thecontacts therein are properly mated.

In order to release and separate the blocks 20 and 21, a double actionis performed by the trigger lever 36 against the spring 30 and the pin23. Initially, the hand on the pistol grip 38 compresses the triggerlever 36 to flatten the spring 30 and take the hole walls 31 out of thecanted position so that pin 23 is again loose thereon. This is followedby further compression of trigger lever 36 and the camming action of cam41 against the tip of pin 23 which serves to push or eject block 20 awayfrom block 21 and make its removal easy.

Pistol grip handle 38 serves not only as a one-handed control for theconnector latching operation, but it also offers an improved carryingmeans for the connector block 21 and its cable end attachments. Theimportance of one-handed control for block 21 is realized when note istaken of the fact that block 21) is at times fastened to a machine frameon casters and needs to be steadied or held with the other hand. Anotherinstance of the advantage of one-handed control arises when block 20 ison the end of a cable of wires and needs to be elevated to an assemblyposition by one hand while the other hand is grasping the pistol grip 38and operating the latch.

A more detailed explanation of how pin 23 is fastened to block 20 ispossible with reference to FIGURE 2. There itis noted that the largeblock opening 44 (similar to opening 24 in block 21) is arranged with apair of bosses 45 extending inwardly from the walls of the blockopening. In certain instances (when blocks 20 and 21 are the same) thesebosses 45 can be similar or complemental to the other bosses 27, i.e.,be present in all four corners of openings 24 and 44 or only in twoopposite corners. Extending through bosses 45 are screws 46 threaded ina plate 47 thus secured to the back of block 20. Pin or stud 23 is seento be a form of post, formed with a wide shoulder or screw ring 48 and athreaded end 4%. A nut 50 is threaded on end 49 and draws the adjustablepin ring 48 flat against the inside of plate 47 so that the pin 23extends as a stiff but adjustable extension of block 20. Adjustment ofpin 23 is advisable for the reason of placement of the pin end so thatcam 41 may be most effectively used to eject block 20 (FIG- URE 4) justas soon as spring 30 releases pin 23.

FIGURES and 6 represent an alternative form of latch constructionwherein the main differences reside in the use of a coil spring 65 and acanting washer or ring 62 instead of the leaf spring 30 of FIGURE 1 withits more elemental form of canting ring in the form of the inside wallsofhole 31-; In FIGURE 5 the blocks 20, 21 are shown separated but in theprocess of being connected by a latching mechanism 61. Upper block 21has attached thereto a frame 55 with a pistol grip extension 58 uponwhich is pivoted at 57 a trigger lever 66 formed with a U shaped springcompression shoulder 70 and an ejection lug or tab 71. Extending upwardthrough the block 21, frame 55 and shoulder 7th is a pin or stud 63adjustably fastened to a plate 67 on block 20 by a nut 60 threaded onthe pin end 59. Encircling pin 63 and resting on frame 55 is the coilspring 65, the upper end of which presses against the angular undersideof the canting ring 62 which has an upper embossed ring 52 to confine itwithin U shoulder 70.

As shown in FIGURE 5, the trigger lever 56 is compressed on the pistolhandle 58 so that pressure is exerted between shoulder 70 and frame 55to compress the spring 65 and also straighten or make horizontal theupper face of ring 62. In so positioning ring 62 it is brought to anuncanted position, i.e., the hole in ring 62 is made truly concentricwith, and loose on, stud 63. This permits the assembly of block 21 andits latching rncehanism openings over the pin 63 and poised near block20 as shown in FIGURE 5 with the contacts of both blocks short of beingforced into wiping contact.

Latching assembly of the two blocks 20, 21 is caused by releasing thetrigger lever 56 and allowing the coil spring 65 to exert its pent upforce by lengthening. In so doing, the spring 65 first tilts the angularcanting ring 62 to the left as shown in FIGURE 6, so that the ring holeedge engages or bites into a pin groove 64 and then the ring 62 acts asa fixed upper stop for the upper end of coil spring 65. Further releaseof trigger lever 56 allows spring 65 to extend its lower end and, in sodoing, it forces block 21 into mating contact with block 20 by pushingblock 21 downward relative to pin 63. A guiding ring 66 on frame keepsthe lower end of coil spring truly concentric with pin 63 to exert themaximum direct force.

In order to release the latching mechanism 61 and separate the blocks26, 21, FIGURE 6, the trigger lever 56 is again compressedcounterclockwise into the pistol grip 56, whereupon U shoulder 70straightens the canting ring 62 and takes it out of the groove 64 andlowers it on pin 63 as the spring 65 is compressed. Further releaseoperation of trigger lever 56 causes its ejection lug 71 to strike theupper end of pin 63 and force pin 63 downward relative to frame 55 andblock 21 so that the blocks 20, 21 are again separated as shown inFIGURE 5.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A connector comprising:

a first member with an extending stud;

a second member carrying a pistol grip handle;

said handle having a trigger lever pivoted thereon;

and a leaf spring with one end encircling said stud to be freedtherefrom by pressure of said lever on said spring end;

whereby release of said spring by said lever causes said encircling endto be canted against said stud to lift it and connect said members.

2. An electrical contact connector comprising:

a pair of insulation connector blocks each containing a plurality ofcontacts for forceful wiping assembly contact when the blocks are forcedtogether;

a stud extending centrally from a first of said blocks and securedthereto;

a second of said block formed with a central opening through which thefree end of said stud extends;

a pistol grip handle frame secured onto said second block and formedwith a frame opening through which said stud extends;

said frame being formed with confining extensions adjacent said frameopening, a pivot, and a pair of grip handles;

a leaf spring in the form of an inverted U with its upper curved portionand one end confined in said frame extensions and with the other lowerflexible end free but formed with a hole situated to align with saidcentral block opening and said frame opening to fit over said stud whensaid flexible spring end is flexed;

a trigger lever pivoted on said pivot between said grip handles andhaving a cam formation for engaging said flexible spring end to flex itinto and out of engagement with said stud when operated in said handleframe;

whereby said leaf spring when released has the hole walls therein cantedinto biting contact with said stud to lift said stud and block and forcethe connector blocks together.

3. A connector of the kind set forth in claim 2 wherein said triggerlever has a second cam formation thereon to engage the outer end of saidstud to eject it and said first block when said lever is compressed intosaid pistol grip frame.

4. A connector of the kind set forth in claim 2 wherein said pistol gripframe is a single piece sheet metal part with a pistol grip handleformed from a pair of parallel bent offset L shaped extensions and saidconfining extensions formed as offset ears.

5. A connector of the kind set forth in claim 4 wherein said confiningextensions have a crossbar laid thereon to act as a fulcrum for theupper end of said leaf spring which is loosely assembled but confinedbetween said pistol frame extensions and said cam formation on saidtrigger lever.

6. A device for connecting contact blocks comprising:

a shouldered post extending from one block;

a recess structure in the other block encircling said post;

a compression spring in said recess and around said post;

a tapered canting ring on said spring and around the top of said post,said ring having an inclined surface engaged by said spring to tip thering and effect a canting action of the ring against said post;

and a lever for compressing said spring through said ring;

whereby release of said lever causes said ring to catch on the shoulderof the post and transmit the spring pressure to close the block halves.

7. An electrical contact connector comprising:

a pair of insulation connector blocks each containing a plurality ofcontacts for wiping assembly contact when the blocks are forcedtogether;

a stud secured to the first of said blocks and extending centrallytherefrom;

a second of said block formed with a central opening through which thefree end of said stud extends;

a pistol grip handle frame secured to said second block and formed witha frame opening through which said stud extends;

said frame being formed with a pivot and a grip handle;

a trigger lever pivoted on said pivot of the handle frame and formedwith a U shaped shoulder spanning the end of said stud wherein a grooveis formed;

a canting ring formed with an angular lower face and an upper facecontacting the U shoulder of said lever;

a coil spring concentrically arranged on said stud between the pistolgrip frame and the angular lower face of said canting ring,

whereby compression of said trigger lever forces said ring into areleased position around said stud but compresses said spring, releaseof which by said lever causes said ring to be canted into said studgroove to fix the upper end of said spring which expands furtherdownward to force the second block against the first block.

8. A connector of'the kind set forth in claim 7 with said trigger leverbeing formed with an extending ejection lug to cooperate with the tipend of said stud when said lever is fully compressed to push againstsaid stud and eject the first block away from the second block.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,152,892 9/15Henry. 1,552,244 9/25 Thomas. 1,683,370 9/28 Pacent 339--110 X 2,647,2447/53 Dewey et a1. 339 2,865,012 12/58 Black 339-277 X 2,964,724 12/60Fox 339-49 X 2,974,931 3/61 Reel et a1. 24243 3,034,089 5/62 Curtis33949 3,052,863 9/62 Uberbacher et a1 33991 X 3,101,230 8/63 Bausch eta1 339-- X FOREIGN PATENTS 612,936 11/48 Great Britain.

JOSEPH D. SEERS, Primary Examiner.

1. A CONNECTOR COMPRISING: A FIRST MEMBER WITH AN EXTENDING STUD; ASECOND MEMBER CARRYING A PISTO GRIP HANDLE; SAID HANDLE HAVING A TRIGGERLEVER PIVOTED THEREON; AND A LEAF SPRING WITH ONE END ENCIRCLING SAIDSTUD TO BE FREED THEREFROM BY PRESSURE OF SAID LEVERL ON SAID SPRINGEND; WHEREBY RELEASE OF SAID SPRING BY SAIDLEVER CAUSES SAID ENCIRCLINGEND TO BE CANTED AGAINST SAID STUD TO LIFT IT AND CONNECT SAID MEMBERS.